Indonesia is one of the most richly biodiverse places on the planet, with countless species and others that have yet to be discovered. But fires that were set in June to clear land for agricultural development – which were whipped far beyond control by the El Nino meteorological conditions – turned an annual environmental concern into a global crisis. Nearly 120,000 fires have been counted so far, and the resulting haze spread across Southeast Asia. An estimated one-third of the remaining wild orangutans on Borneo were threatened by the fires, which destroyed 2 million hectares of forest land.

GRASP HANGOUT -Ask The Ape Expert: DR. Jane Goodall

Join us for a Google+ Hangout with Dr Jane Goodall on the 15th of July at 13:00-14:00 GMT. Joining Dr. Goodall will be renowned journalist Asha Tanna, GRASP coordinator Doug Cress and Nairobi University graduate students.

We’ll be discussing with Jane about her 55 years in conservation and her experience as a primatologist. The public will be welcome to participate by watching, asking questions, seeking advice as well as joining the discussion live during the hangout.